Transport block set segmentation

ABSTRACT

Data of a transport block set is to be transmitted in a wireless communication system. Segmentation information for potential segmentation of the data is provided. The data is transmitted with a first specified modulation and coding scheme. The data is received and it is determined whether the received data meets a specified quality. When the specified quality is not met, a repeat request is transmitted. The first specified modulation and coding set is changed to a second specified modulation and coding set. In response to the repeat request, the data is segmented into a plurality of segments supported by the second specified modulation and coding set in accordance with the provided segmentation information. The segments are transmitted and at least two of the segments are transmitted separately.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/841,289, filed May 7, 2004; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/279,365, filed Oct. 24, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/357,198 filed on Feb. 13, 2002, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention generally relates to wireless communication systems. In particular, the invention relates to transmission of data in such systems where adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) and hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) techniques are applied.

In wireless communication systems, such as the third generation partnership project (3GPP) time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems using code division multiple access (CDMA) or orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) systems, AMC is used to optimize the use of air resources.

The modulation and coding schemes (sets) used to transmit data are varied based on wireless channel conditions. To illustrate, a type of data encoding (such as turbo versus convolutional coding), coding rate, spreading factor for CDMA system, modulation type (such as quadrature phase shift keying, M-ary phase shift keying versus M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation), and/or a number of sub-carriers for an OFDM system may change. If channel characteristics improve, a lower data redundancy and/or “less robust” modulation and coding set is used to transfer data. As a result, for a given allocation of radio resources, more user data is transferred resulting in a higher effective data rate. Conversely, if channel characteristics degrade, a higher data redundancy and/or “more robust” modulation and coding set is used, transferring less user data. Using AMC, an optimization between air resource utilization and quality of service (QOS) can be better maintained.

Data in such systems is received for transfer over the air interface in transmission time intervals (TTIs). Data within a TTI transferred to a particular user equipment is referred to as a transport block set (TBS). For a particular allocation of air resources, a less robust modulation and coding set allows for larger TBS sizes and a more robust modulation and coding set only allows for smaller TBS sizes. As a result, the modulation and coding set for a given radio resource allocation dictates the maximum size of the TBS that can be supported in a given TTI.

In such systems, a hybrid automatic repeat (H-ARQ) request mechanism may be used to maintain QOS and improve radio resource efficiency. A system using H-ARQ is shown in FIG. 1. A transmitter 20 transmits a TBS over the air interface using a particular modulation and coding set. The TBS is received by a receiver 26. A H-ARQ decoder 31 decodes the received TBS. If the quality of the received data is unacceptable, an ARQ transmitter 28 requests a retransmission of the TBS. One approach to check the quality of the received TBS is a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). An ARQ receiver 22 receives the request and a retransmission of the TBS is made by the transmitter 20. To increase the probability of successful delivery, retransmissions may apply a more robust modulation and coding set. The H-ARQ decoder 31 combines, the received TBS versions. A requirement for combining is that combined TBS sizes are identical. If the resulting quality is still insufficient, another retransmission is requested. If the resulting quality is sufficient, such that the combined TBS passes the CRC check, the received TBS is released for further processing. The H-ARQ mechanism allows for data received with unacceptable quality to be retransmitted possibly at a more robust MCS to ensure successful delivery and maintain the desired QOS.

Another approach is to retransmit the TBS using the old modulation and coding set. However, if the channel conditions dictate that a more robust modulation and coding set be used or the initial transmission was severally corrupted, the combining of the retransmitted TBSs may never pass, resulting in a transmission failure.

In a system using both H-ARQ and AMC, a change in modulation and coding set may be determined necessary to achieve successful delivery of a requested TBS retransmission. In this situation, the maximum amount of physical data bits allowed within the TTI varies with the modulation and coding set.

Since only one TBS exists per TTI, the effective user data rate corresponds to the TBS size applied to each TTI. To achieve maximum data rates the largest TBS size is applied to the least robust modulation and coding set within the TTI. When wireless channel conditions require more a robust modulation and coding set for successful transmission, such a TBS size can not be supported within the TTI. Therefore, each time a more robust modulation and coding requirement is realized, all outstanding transmissions in H-ARQ processes with TBS sizes not supported by this MCS and have not been successfully acknowledged are discarded.

In current implementations, when a TBS cannot be successfully transmitted utilizing AMC and H-ARQ mechanisms, recovery is handled by the radio link control (RLC) protocol (at layer two). Unlike a H-ARQ recovery of failed transmissions, the RLC error detection, data recovery and buffering of a TBS queued in the transmitter (which may be at the node-B or user equipment as mentioned below) results in increased transport channel block error rates and transmission latency, potentially resulting in a failure to meet QOS requirements.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have alternate approaches to recover unsuccessful transmissions in such systems to allow for support of high data rates when AMC and H-ARQ techniques are applied.

SUMMARY

Data of a transport block set is to be transmitted in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system uses adaptive modulation and coding and has a hybrid automatic repeat request mechanism. Segmentation information for potential segmentation of the transport block set is provided. The transport block set is transmitted with a first specified modulation and coding scheme. The transport block set is received and the received transport block set is determined to meet a specified quality. When the specified quality is not met, a repeat request is transmitted. The first specified modulation and coding set is changed to a second specified modulation and coding set. In response to the repeat request, the transmit block set is segmented into a plurality of segments supported by the second specific modulation and coding set in accordance with the provided segmentation information. The segments are transmitted and at least two of the segments are transmitted separately. The transmitted segments are received. The segmentation process may be applied more than once for a particular TBS transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a wireless H-ARQ communication system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a segmented TBS.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a segmented TBS with a control message sent out-of band.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a segmented TBS having segment identifiers.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of a segmented TBS with segment identifiers sent out-of band.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a segmented TBS having transport sequence numbers.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a segmented TBS wireless communication system.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of segmenting a TBS.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of segmenting a TBS into three segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Transport block set segmentation can be used in a variety of wireless communication systems, such as FDD/CDMA, TDD/CDMA and OFDM communication systems.

To support high data rates, large TBS sizes are applied to each TTI. To allow for retransmission of large TBS sizes, at more robust modulation and coding sets to ensure successful delivery, segmentation information is provided with the TBS transmission. FIG. 2 illustrates a TBS with segmentation information (SI) in a TTI. The data within the illustrated TBS is segmented into multiple segments, segment 1 to segment N. Each segment is sized to have a data size that can be supported by a more robust modulation and coding set. Segmentation information (SI) is multiplexed with the TBS data. Although the segmentation information is shown as a header in FIG. 2, the segmentation information may be located anywhere within the structure of the TBS transmission (in-band). The segmentation information can be used for segmentation of the TBS.

Alternatively, FIG. 3A illustrates using control signaling to send segmentation information. The control signal is sent on a separate channel (out-of-band) from the segment data, segment 1 to segment N, (in-band). The segmentation information indicates the manner that the TBS was segmented for use in reconstructing the original TBS in the receiver.

FIG. 3B illustrates using a segmentation identifier (SID) as in-band segmentation information. Each segment, segment 1 to segment N, has a corresponding segment identifier, SID 1 to SID 2, multiplexed with that segment's data (in-band). FIG. 3C illustrates using a SID as out-of-band segmentation information.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred segmentation identifier for a segmented TBS. The medium access controller (MAC) assigns a transmission sequence number (TSN) to each potential segment. If the TBS is segmented, each segment's data is associated with that segment's TSN. As shown in FIG. 4, each segment has its own TSN, TSN 1 to TSN N. In a wireless communication system employing H-ARQ, TSNs are assigned to each TBS to allow for sequential processing. Using the TSN as a segment identifier reduces modifications required and minimizes additional complexity of the system to accommodate segmentation.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a transmitter 44 and a receiver 46 for retransmitting a TBS in segments. The transmitting entity 44 may be located at either a user equipment or a base station/node-B. The receiving entity 46 may be located at either a base station/node-B or a user equipment. In current system implementations, AMC is typically only used in the downlink. Accordingly, the preferred implementation of transport block segmentation is for use in the supporting AMC for the downlink. For other systems using AMC in the uplink, transport block segmentation can be applied to the uplink.

A transmitter 30 transmits a TBS over the air interface 36. A receiver 38 receives the transmitted TBS. A H-ARQ decoder 42 decodes each received TBS. If the TBS fails the quality test, a request for retransmission is made by the ARQ transmitter 40. An ARQ receiver 32 receives the request and directs the TBS to be retransmitted. The retransmitted TBS is combined by the H-ARQ decoder 42 and another quality test is performed. Once the TBS passes the quality test, it is released for further processing.

An AMC controller 34 is also shown in FIG. 5. If the channel conditions change, the AMC controller may initiate a change in the modulation and code set used to transfer data. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating such a change occurring in AMC between H-ARQ retransmissions. A transmitted TBS fails the quality test and a retransmission is requested, (step 50). To illustrate using FIG. 7, a TBS is transmitted and the received transmission fails the quality test, as indicated by an “X”. It is determined that a change to a more robust modulation and coding set is required for successful transmission, (step 52). Since a more robust modulation and coding set is needed, retransmission of the same size TBS may not be possible. The H-ARQ process is reset and the TBS is segmented using the TBS segmentation device 46, (step 54). Typically, with physical layer segmentation, resetting the H-ARQ process is not necessary for proper operation. Each segment or subset of segments of the original TBS is at a size compatible with the new modulation and coding set. To illustrate using FIG. 7, the original TBS is segmented into three segments, SEG1, SEG2 and SEG3. The segments are retransmitted at the more robust modulation and coding set, (step 56).

Each segment or subset of segments is individually transmitted using the new modulation and coding set. As illustrated in FIG. 7, SEG1, SEG2 and SEG3 are separately transmitted and received. It is also possible depending on the choice of modulation and coding that any subset may be separately transmitted and received (SEG1 & SEG3, or SEG2 &SEG3, etc.). If a transmission of a segment or subset of segments fails, the ARQ transmitter 40 requests a retransmission of that segment or subset of segments. The transmission of the segment or subset of segments and the retransmission(s) are combined until the segment or subset of segments passes the quality test.

To reduce the added overhead required by the segmentation information, preferably, the transmitter selectively dictates when the segmentation option is to be utilized. To illustrate, if channel conditions are degrading or are predicted to degrade, the segmentation option may be utilized. This determination may be based on channel quality measurements, previous transmission success/failure rates for particular modulation and coding sets, or other criteria. A segmentation controller 48, preferably in the transmitter, as shown in FIG. 5, decides whether segmentation is to be supported. The segmentation controller coordinates operation with the MAC to add the segmentation information to the TBS. The segmentation decision may be based on various factors, such as cell loading, added users, number of prior retransmissions and measured channel quality. The availability of some of this information (e.g. cell loading and added users) to the transmitter depends on whether the transmitter is at the node-B or user equipment. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a repeat request message requesting retransmission of a block of data; segmenting the block into a plurality of segments subsequent to receiving the repeat request message; determining, for each of the plurality of segments, segmentation information; and transmitting the plurality of segments and the segmentation information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the segmentation information indicates a relative position within the data block.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the segmentation information is determined subsequent to the receiving of the repeat request message.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the block of data with a first specified modulation and coding scheme and a specified sequence number
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising changing the specified modulation and coding scheme to a second specified modulation and coding scheme, subsequent to the receiving of the repeat request message.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting the plurality of segments according to the second specified modulation and coding scheme.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the block of data uses a first plurality of subcarriers in a first transmission time interval (TTI).
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitting the plurality of segments occurs in a second TTI.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitting the plurality of segments uses a different number of subcarriers than the transmitting the block of data.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining segmentation information comprises determining, for each of the plurality of segments, respective segmentation information.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising appending the respective segmentation information to each of the plurality of data segments.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising appending the respective segmentation information to a respective header of each of the plurality of data segments.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of data segments includes a sequence number and respective segmentation information.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising, retransmitting a failed segment if a segment transmission fails.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the repeat request message indicates that the block of data failed a quality test.
 16. A device, comprising: a segmentation device configured to segment a first data block into a plurality of data segments subsequent to receiving the repeat request message, and to append, to each of the plurality of data segments, segmentation information.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the segmentation information indicates a relative position within the first data block.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the segmentation device is configured to determine the additional segmentation information subsequent to the Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) message requesting retransmission of the first data block.
 19. A transmitter device comprising a processor configured to: receive a repeat request message requesting retransmission of a block of data; segment the block into a plurality of segments subsequent to receiving the repeat request message; append, to each of the plurality of segments, segmentation information; and transmit the plurality of segments.
 20. A method implemented in a user equipment or a base station, the method comprising: transmitting a first data block having a sequence number using a first modulation and coding scheme utilizing a first plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, the first modulation and coding scheme comprising a first modulation type and a first coding rate; segmenting the first data block into a plurality of data segments; appending additional segmentation information that comprises a plurality of segment identifiers (SIDs) that indicate a manner of segmentation of the first data block, wherein an SID is assigned to each of the plurality of data segments, wherein the additional segmentation information is determined subsequent to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) message requesting retransmission of data in the first data block; and transmitting the segments with the plurality of SIDs using the second modulation and coding scheme utilizing a second plurality of OFDM subcarriers, the second modulation and coding scheme comprising a second modulation type and a second coding rate, wherein the first plurality of OFDM subcarriers is different than the second plurality of OFDM subcarriers, the first modulation type is different than the second modulation type, and the first coding rate is different than the second coding rate. 